The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys needed to pound out some frustrations after being swept last weekend by third-ranked Southern Arkansas.

The problem for the University of Ozarks Eagles was they were on the receiving end of 21 Arkansas Tech base hits as the Wonder Boys ended a three-game losing string by defeating Ozarks Eagles 19-6 Tuesday night at Tech Field.

Tech (26-14) didn't waste anytime as 13 Wonder Boys went to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and scored 10 times to take a 10-0 lead. Defensively, six Arkansas Tech pitchers pooled their resources to keep the Eagles (10-18) at bay, with Cody Hatman (2-2) earning the win on the mound after working 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Offensively, Matt Johnson went 4-for-5 for the Wonder Boys. he hit a double, triple, two RBIs and three runs scored. Josh Riley hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to increase Arkansas Tech's lead to 16-1.

Anthony Gower also blasted a home run for the Wonder Boys and drove in two runs, along with Nick Makris, Chris Reese and Madison Beaird. Landon Sullins got three hits and scored three runs. Chad Wynn, Tyler Taunton and Joe Walton notched two hits apiece for Arkansas Tech.

The Wonder Boys return to Gulf South Conference action Saturday and Sunday when they host Ouachita Baptist for a three-game series at Tech Field. Tech is in third place in the GSC West, and the Tigers are one game behind the Wonder Boys in fourth place.

First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. Both teams will wrap up the series with one game at 2 p.m. Sunday. All the games can be heard on local radio station KCAB 980 AM and streamed over the Internet at www.athletics.atu.edu.

Spring football

Tuesday's spring football practice was another tough one for the Wonder Boys, but the light is shining at the tunnel as Arkansas Tech will have a light, non-football workout today to rest weary muscles.

"They'll get a little weightroom work," coach Steve Mullins said. "We'll be back to full contact Thursday."

The team ran "coming out" drills Tuesday where the offense starts deep in its red zone and must move to the 20 or make room for a clean punt outside the endzone. The offense was later given first down at the 9-yard line.

"The defense dominated the coming out drill," Mullins said. "But the offense turned it around on the first-and goal-drill."

Tech will return to full-contact practice Thursday and will prepare for Saturday's scrimmage, where coaches will see who's starting to separate themselves from the rest of the competition and a depth chart will finally start to begin taking shape.

Tech volleyball sets spring dates

The Golden Suns volleyball team will open its spring season Thursday against teams from the Gulf South Conference, other Arkansas schools, MIAA, NAIA and even some NCAA Division I opponents.

NCAA Division II volleyball has a non-championship season where the teams are allowed to conduct team practices and have four dates of outside competition. Arkansas Tech, which finished 24-13 overall last season and third in the GSC West Division, will be playing in four tournaments, along with an intrasquad scrimmage.

The Suns will play at Henderson State on Thursday, at Drury College (Mo.) on Saturday, at Harding on April 13 and April 20, and host a Green and Gold intrasquad scrimmage on April 21.

"The spring season is a great opportunity for our players to work on individual skills, physical improvement, and build team chemistry as we work toward our goals for the 2010 season," Tech head volleyball coach Kristy Bayer said. "Our goals for the 2010 season are to win the West Division (which we did in 2008), see success in the GSC Tournament and make the NCAA Tournament."

Bayer also stated the offense will be strong once again this upcoming season as senior middle blocker Sarah Von Lienen and junior outside hitter Laura Farney return. They averaged 3.44 and 3.33 kills per game in 2009, respectively. The Golden Suns are improving their serving and improving the team's ability to play out of system and improve on consistency of serve receive passing.

Tech's 2010 team will return nine letterwinners and all six starters from last season's squad. In addition to the returners, Bayer also added four high school players that signed National Letters of Intent.

"With all the returners and newcomers, it is going to give us a lot of different options and combinations of line-ups on the court," Bayer said.

Bayer has been please by the offseason improvement of junior libero Brennae Benda and the vocal leadership shown by senior setter Kera Dukic.

"Brennae has pushed herself this offseason and will be a defensive force this coming fall, while Kera has used her vocal leadership skills to push her teammates to become better," Bayer added. "Plus, our two redshirts from last season, freshman defensive specialist Lindsay Layes and junior middle blocker Thabata Galvao, will be able to play and gain some game experience."